Vols welcome changes with 2021 schedule
Due to the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Starkville Academy Volunteers did not get to play the final regular season football game last season against Jackson Academy.
The Vols won’t have to wait long to renew acquaintances with the Raiders in 2021.
Starkville Academy will kick off the season with a trip to the state capitol on August 20.
That will begin a tough quartet of non-conference games for the Vols before opening Class 4A, District 2 play on September 17 at Heritage Academy. They will follow the Jackson Academy game by hosting Lamar School on August 27, playing Leake Academy at home on September 3 and traveling to French Camp on September 10.
“I love the new schedule and the opportunities and the adversity it presents,” Starkville Academy head football coach Chase Nicholson said. “We will be battle-tested early with our first four games. Opening with JA gives us no time to waste to get better, then a semi-finalist in the Lamar team and defending state champs in Leake. French Camp is always a tough battle and then open district play with Heritage.”
After meeting Heritage, the Vols will renew their Highway 25 rivalry with Winston Academy at home on September 24 and finish with district opponents Magnolia Heights at home(october 1), Pillow Academy on the road (October 8), Bayou Academy on the road (October 15) and Washington School at home (October 22).
Nicholson said it will be an interesting stretch of the season and likes the fact the Vols get Winston Academy back on the schedule.
“We get to continue to build that relationship, but they are building a lot of momentum over there with their program, then we will finish the season and district play Mag., Pillow, Bayou and Washington, which will all be tough late season teams,” Nicholson said.
Starkville Academy finished last season in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs and had a 6-4 record.
Nicholson said the 2021 schedule does the Vols no favors as they work to continue the winning tradition of the program.
“We look forward to the 2021 season and all that this season brings,” Nicholson said. “It looks very similar to years past and we know each week is a new challenge, but that’s life and that’s football. We will be making changes and working harder to get better.
“No matter what changes we make, we will keep our foundation strong, get better every day, grow as a family, work hard, have fun and we will take it one week at a time.”